Earlier today, Roger Federer made his first appearance on the ATP World Tour since the Australian Open. The 35-year-old Swiss, currently the world no. 10, was the 3rd seed at the dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, an ATP 500 event. His first match after almost a 2 month break has aroused public interest as everyone was eager to see whether or not he is about to aim for more in 2017. Those who attended the match were not disappointed, as their idol had the perfect start in Dubai, finishing his opponent in no time.
Benoit Paire had no chance
During a press conference prior to the match, Roger Federer seemed as though he was back in his early 20s' with a joyful approach and a thrilling level of enthusiasm.
Perhaps it's just about age, and that he came to the understanding that at this stage every tournament in which he can have an impact is simply a gift for him and for those who watch. So, the Swiss hit the tennis court, dispatching Benoit Paire in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.
Paire (39 ATP) was sent off in just 54 minutes of play. In the opening set, the Frenchman had no response whatsoever and Federer got in front by sealing the set in 28 minutes. The 2nd act saw a much more willing to play Frenchman, and the scoreboard was balanced for a while. Eventually, Federer went straight through his opponent's defense and took the set 6-3. The winner of the 2017 Australian Open put together his 4th win against Benoit Paire.
With a solid start, the Swiss star is already looking for that potential match with Murray in the semis as his road toward the upper stages seems quite an easy ride.
Federer had the same approach in Melbourne
At 35 years of age, a tennis player would love to end points as fast as possible. Federer successfully applied this strategy in Melbourne and it paid off, as he constantly bullied his opponents, never letting them settle on the tennis court or control the pace of the encounter. In his first appearance in Dubai, Federer showed that he is still capable of maintaining winning form.